A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
34%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Hammond Indiana National
Cost of living8789100
Groceries9897100
Health care9797100
Housing6672100
Transportation9596100
Utilities9796100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9195100
Household Items10098100
Education & Childcare9394100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Hammond, IN

The cost of living in Hammond affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Hammond is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Is Hammond Affordable?

Is Hammond affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Hammond, for instance, where the median home price falls 45.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 6.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Hammond flaunting a median household income of $69,448, 14.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hammond?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Hammond, the transportation index is 4.8% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Hammond, the housing index stands at 33.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living estimates displayed for Hammond are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Hammond is 2% lower than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Hammond is 13% lower than the national average
  • Hammond housing is 34% lower than the national average
  • Indiana general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Indiana state income tax is 21% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Hammond

See all the best places to live around Hammond

Compare Hammond, IN Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$90,848$7,571$2,120$2,726
      Renters$44,863$3,739$1,047$1,346
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Hammond, IN, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Hammond have a median income of $90,848. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,120 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $44,863, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,047.

      Indiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Indiana 7% 7%

      Indiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Indiana 3.15% 3.15%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ford Heights, IL2,8018316.6%
      East Chicago, IN28,8358217.8%
      Gary, IN77,1518119.3%
      Phoenix, IL1,4508514.6%
      Dixmoor, IL3,6638712.6%
      Hammond, IN78,5188712.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kalamazoo, MI78,2868811.9%
      Baldwin Park, CA78,28514545.3%
      Wyoming, MI78,208927.7%
      Bellflower, CA78,04115150.6%
      Layton, UT79,01811414.4%
      Hammond, IN78,5188712.7%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.